In Counsel this Month

In his Chairman’s Column Nick Green QC explains why the Bar Council is preparing to commence judicial review proceedings against the government

Keeping up the Bar’s eye view on Parliament, Charles Hale contemplates a change of name and highlights issues of concern in the Crime and Security Bill

Jackson Special: Stuart Sime discusses what the recommendations made in the Review of Civil Litigation Costs: Final Report will mean for Bar. Many of the recommendations will have a direct impact on the Bar’s way of life he warns. 

And Counsel rounds up some of the comments made on the NLJ Jackson webcast

And Counsel finds out what candidates sitting the Crown Court Recordership Competition think of the qualifying tests

Catherine Piercy wonders whether the advocacy training provided by the Bar Vocational Course and the Inns of Court will stand up in court

Counsel interview: Tom Allen meets Edward Fitzgerald CBE QC—a radical lawyer in action and the thorn in the side of successive governments

Criminal evidence: The decision in R v Barker on child witness evidence in criminal cases establishes that the competency test is the same for children and adults, write Professor Penny Cooper and David Wurtzel

In Counsel’s International Perspective series: Adrian Hughes QC and Steven Thompson discuss the Bar Council’s engagement with China’s rapidly developing legal market. The Lord Chancellor’s Training Scheme for Young Chinese Lawyers aims to foster closer professional, cultural and social ties between lawyers in the UK and China

Which lawyers have played first class cricket? Daniel Lightman investigates

Plus, Counsel profile: Chris Owen, CEO, St Philips

And Counsel book reviews: Blackstone’s Criminal Practice reviewed by Adrian Turner and Sexual Offences Handbook reviewed by Martin Bowley QC